Omagh bomb claims prompts probe

Three years after the terrorist outrage, Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is to look into the claims. Mrs O'Loan's intervention followed newspaper reports that security forces had intelligence warning of an imminent bomb attack only days before the Real IRA blast ripped through a crowded street on August 15, 1998.

Security chiefs have vehemently denied the allegations which alarmed relatives of those killed and the survivors of the 500lb car bomb explosion. The claims were reported to have come from a former Special Branch agent, known as Kevin Fulton.

Mr Fulton's lawyer, Imran Khan, said his client's warning could have given the RUC a "head start" in detecting the Omagh bomb. He said: "What's clear is that he is not saying that he knew the Omagh bomb was going to go off, but information wasn't passed on which could have given the RUC a head start in relation to finding out precisely what was happening."

A statement issued from the office of the Police Ombudsman said: "Following consideration of this matter over the last three weeks the Police Ombudsman has informed the Secretary of State (John Reid) and the Chief Constable (Sir Ronnie Flanagan) of her decision to investigate."

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An RUC statement said: "The Chief Constable has discussed the matter with the Ombudsman and welcomes her examination of the issue, which he hopes will be reassuring to the families of the victims of this dreadful atrocity."

Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Adrian in the bombing, said: "The office of the Ombudsman is the proper channel to investigate these allegations. "I would like to see them investigate it as thoroughly and as quickly as possible.

"It would be wrong for me or anyone else to prejudge the outcome of that or say anything that would influence anyone in any way."